I feel like a lot of us are going to be disappointed on who we sign. If you actually think about it, we just need two lineman that are competent at blocking. Jackson and Davis could not block for $***, like at all. So if we can sign like 3 Olineman that can be subpar and draft Zion Johnson with our 29th pick, I think we should be good.
I have a bad feeling about this entire year. The football gods are going to be cruel to the Dolphins.
I think there's going to be a lot of teams looking at this year like their last chance to get some sensible deals done before the cap makes the jump and the new tv money enters and once again changes the game in terms of what a contract looks like. As a result it could be a competitive market and that tends to lead to some absolutely horrific contracts being handed out as teams get desperate. Wouldn't shock me if players try and get a lot of short term deals so they can cash out in a few years time.
And so it begins ! After the Ogbah signing we now need… 3 Offensive Lineman 1 ILB 1 wideout And atleast 1 running back.
I guess we will still need another one. Edmunds is a committee guy and I think McDaniel knows that Gaskin is subpar.
I think this is a good gamble by Pittsburgh. He is at least better than anything they had on the roster, and maybe he plays at the high level he showed for one season with the Bears. Relatively cheap too.
Note- it may seem worrying that these OL are being signed quickly. Its not a problem though since we have a staff full of coordinators experienced in developing linemen. We may make a splash signing or two during free agency, but I don't think it's as critical as some of you may believe. What you're really paying for is another team's development of that lineman and it doesn't automatically mean he'll fit within your system. As much as many of you will hate hearing this, I'm still all for drafting and developing our own line from the mid-rounds. The coaching part is so key and I feel like we finally have that in order.
I don’t share your confidence regarding the coaching and more importantly the person who makes the decision on draft picks. More importantly, if Tua is ever going to play a full season again, we need to get substantially better fast at OL. I’d have no problem taking Linderbaum or Johnson with our first but we need to sign a T. Jackson needs to ride the bench, Liam needs to go to RT and we need a serviceable LT.
I agree with you on needs; we just disagree on how to get there. What we don't want is Grier dropping 1st rounders on developmental projects. There are PLENTY of division 1/2/3 guys who never get a look that would absolutely destroy you at the LOS or five yards downfield; that's who we need to be looking at. No more prospects- we need maulers who are ready to fight today.
That was my problem with last years draft. I wanted Humphrey or Meinerz. I like tough, nasty OL. To me that’s Tyler Linderbaum who was a very good wrestler in HS. Unfortunately I think we waddled our way out of having a chance at him. At this point, I don’t trust Griers ability to draft OL. I’d rather sign them, and then let him draft other positions.
I agree. The perfect archetype for an offensive lineman is Ritchie Incognito- mean, nasty, high motor, etc. Pouncey fit that mold too. But most of our recent draft picks just don't have that mentality. It's not that they're "soft", but they're not ultra-aggressive, alpha males either. That makes a massive difference since there's no time to think on the OL...everything is natural reaction.
Except this coaching staff wants cerebral, thinking OL. I'm not concerned about Grier picking because, frankly, he won't in my opinion. He will see who McDaniels wants for this system and get them. I was a little surprised they didn't pounce on Tomlinson, but we will see.
Kirk money makes me wanna temporarily step out of the WR game if contracts are being based on that number.
No such thing as a thinking OL. I mean, yeah, you walk up to the line, look at your assignment, etc. and adjust if the D switches, players hop in gaps, etc. So there is thinking involved pre-snap. But once the play starts, there's no room for that. It's all instinct and muscle memory- staying low, firing off, setting the shoulder, getting off to the next level. As soon as a lineman tries to think after the snap, it's over...your defender is past you or he's knocking you on the ground. That should basically be the Austin Jackson fight song he did it so often- let me stand straight up, look around, and then decide what to do. Oh, hey, look at that guy mauling my QB....maybe I was supposed to block him.
With the amount of wide receivers who are drafted and are able to have decent under 1,000 yard seasons, that is a lot of money to pay for a wide receiver who has never had over 1,000 yards in his four years in the league.